Rahul Gandhi Warns of Democratic Erosion, Calls for Inclusive Growth During Colombia Address

Bogotá, Oct 2025 : Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a sharp critique of the Narendra Modi government, warning that the gravest challenge facing India today is a systematic assault on its democratic foundations.

Speaking to a packed auditorium of students at EIA University in Envigado, Colombia, Gandhi underscored that India’s strength lies in its extraordinary diversity — its myriad religions, languages, and traditions — and stressed that democracy is the only framework capable of giving space to all these voices.

“India is a conversation between all its people,” he said, adding that attempts to curb dissent or centralise authority go against the country’s fundamental design. He contrasted India’s decentralised and pluralistic character with China’s highly centralised model, asserting that authoritarianism in India would ultimately fail.

India in the Global Energy Transition

Broadening his perspective beyond politics, Gandhi highlighted India’s pivotal position in the global energy transition. He drew historical parallels, noting how Britain rose to dominance by harnessing coal and steam, while the United States shaped the modern era by mastering petrol and the internal combustion engine.

“Now, the world is moving toward electric motors and battery technology,” Gandhi observed, pointing out that the real contest for leadership lies between the United States and China. With China currently ahead in this race, he argued that India, situated geographically next to China and strategically aligned with the US, is inevitably at the centre of this global collision.

Internal Challenges: Diversity and Employment

While expressing confidence in India’s potential, Gandhi cautioned against undermining its cultural and linguistic diversity. He emphasised that nurturing regional languages and traditions is crucial, and warned that suppressing them would weaken the nation.

Turning to economic challenges, he flagged unemployment as one of India’s most pressing problems. The country’s service-driven economy, he said, is unable to create sufficient jobs, leaving many young people without opportunities. Drawing a comparison with the United States, he noted that former President Donald Trump’s polarisation campaign resonated most strongly with communities that had lost manufacturing jobs.

Call for a Democratic Production Model

In closing, Gandhi stressed the urgent need for India to design a production model suited to its democratic and pluralistic framework. Unlike China’s authoritarian model, he argued, India must find a path to economic strength that respects freedoms while remaining globally competitive.